Ayr Utd 18’s v Dundee Utd

Ayr United vs Dundee United 18’s Match Report

Following an excellent three points against Motherwell last Friday the home side were keen to build on that positive result.
Dundee United proved to be a strong, physical side who attempted to play from the back at every possible opportunity.
Ayr started on the front foot with some good passing moves however Dundee Utd also forced several corners in the opening exchanges.
Ayr defended the set pieces well which was to prove one of their strengths on a difficult evening weather wise.
Ayr winger Owen McGinty was coming in for some special attention as he caused problems for the away side nearly every time he got on the ball. McGinty produced several of his trademark runs, full of dribbling, twists and turns and changes of direction. One a couple of occasions McGinty fizzed the ball across the face of goal only to find no takers.
Dundee United proving a powerful side produced their own moments winning a number of free kicks but again Ayr were resolute in defence.
Ayr keeper Graham made a good stop to his right whilst at the other end of the pitch Ayr’s Decci McFadyen looked to be impeded inside the away side’s box.
Ayr midfielder Andrew Heaney beat the offside trap only to see his attempted lob slide past the far post.
Ayr captain Ross Love had to be lively to stop the visitor’s striker running through on goal.

Half Time :,Ayr United 0 Dundee United 0.

The second half saw Ayr dominating the ball much more and as a result became the main attacking force.
Some good passages of play and quick transitions on the counter attack began to cause the visitors problems.
Paul Smith and Owen McGinty we’re feeding off striker Kaylum Ferguson’s good hold up play with midfielder Andrew Heaney making inroads with his penetrating runs from deep.
In 70 minutes Ayr finally made the breakthrough.
Owen McGinty raced clear only to be brought down by an over zealous challenge.
McGinty however produced the best response by smashing the ball past the defensive wall and beyond the away sids’s keeper.
No more than Ayr deserved however keeper Graham then produced a first class stop with his legs to deny a Dundee United midfielder who found himself through on goal.
With 15 minutes left Ayr replaced hard working striker Kaylum Ferguson with their ‘flying winger’ Joy Goma who immediately added to the away side’s problems.
Goma produced several of his powerful runs from deep and was unlucky to see a goalbound shot blocked.
Owen McGinty brought out two decent stops from the away keeper as Ayr sought a second goal.
As the the clock ran down the minutes Ayr replaced the injured midfielder Aaron Miller with Hamish Brown. Miller and McFadyen had given Ayr a more solid look in the second period by both winning the ball back and also shielding their central defenders from any penetrating passes.
However the second goal just wouldn’t come and as the game entered the 94th minute the away side struck.
Ayr could have cleared their lives better in the wide area but failure to do so saw the ball moved centrally.
The Dundee United striker was afforded just too much time and space and his well struck shot fairly flew past Ayr keeper Graham into the far corner.

Full Time : Ayr United 1 Dundee United 1

Ayr Head Coach John Crawford although naturally disappointed with the loss of such a late goal was very pleased with the team’s overall performance against a powerful and physical side.
Crawford said, ‘ The players produced a very good performance on a difficult night, The team had a solid look about it tonight but unfortunately couldn’t get a second goal which would have put the game out of reach for the away team. Crawford added, ‘The players gave everything on the night and deserved more from the game than they ultimately got.’

ABOUT

Ayr United Football Academy (AUFA) was founded in 2005 as an independent company, a Scottish registered charity, a Community Sports Hub, a Social Enterprise company and is incorporated as a not for profit Company Limited by guarantee. AUFA Pro Youth teams participate in SFA Club Academy Scotland (CAS) Group 1 and attained Silver Star status beginning season 2015-16. AUFA Women and Girls teams participate within SFA Scottish Women's Football (SWF) group of leagues. Track the Academy via the website www.aufa.org.uk, Linkedin, Facebook or on Twitter.